HORNETS had far too much firepower for a shell-shocked Sheffield Eagles outfit at Spotland stadium on Sunday.

And Martin Hall's men gave their most complete display of the season as they ran in 12 tries without reply to hand out a 64-2 mauling.

Latham Tawhai's suspension and a shoulder injury to Danny Wood meant a reshuffle at halfback, with Warren Ayres moving to scrumhalf and Paul Smith starting at stand off. And it went like a dream as the dynamic duo brought out the best in their teammates in a superb all round team performance.

Warren Ayres was named man of the match, but it was a day on which all the players involved emerged with their heads held high. Ayres hopes that the performance is a sign of things to come. "We are looking to peak for the play offs," he said. "We've won two on a trot and we are looking to go on from here."

Ayres was pleased with the team's effort, particularly on defence, and with his partnership with Smith.. He added: "Our goal at halftime was not to concede a try and we managed that. It was Paul Smith and my first time together at halfback. He did well and it worked out well. We were helped by the forwards who took it up well. Everyone was on form today and the squad is buzzing again."

Hornets went behind to an early Sheffield penalty, but it was to be the Eagles last hurrah. The home side slowly but surely took a grip on the game, and when Matt Calland crossed after 17 minutes the writing was on the wall for the visitors. And when Ayres' tremendous long pass released Brendan O'Meara on the left the floodgates opened.

Richard Pachniuk chipped in with a trademark try from acting halfback, and Hornets were in full flight. Errors were few, support play and handling were stupendous.

On the half hour Matt Long offloaded under pressure wide on the left. The ball was moved swiftly right with Damian Ball and Smith prominent. Ayres found Paul Owen in support and the fullback sliced through to score.

Four minutes before the interval Pachniuk again broke from acting halfback. His low pass was well collected by David Stephenson, who handed on to Calland. The Hornets' captain held off three Sheffield tacklers and slipped the ball to Smith to score.

After the break it was a case of how many tries Hornets would score, as the visitors wilted in the face of the rampant home attack.

It didn't take long for Hornets to increase their lead, as Smith broke through on the left, drew the fullback and handed on to Iain Higgins who coasted through to score.

Sheffield looked bewildered as Hornets hit them from all angles. Paul Davidson was next to penetrate the Sheffield defence as he fed Ayres, who presented O' Meara with his second.

Ayres was again to the fore as his long pass created space on the right for Higgins to notch his second of the day. Not to be outdone Calland combined with Wayne McHugh on the right and he too made it a brace.

The forwards were now breaking through at will and Ayres took full advantage as he crept over from close range. Owen then became the fourth Hornets player to score two tries as he pounced on an Ayres' grubber. David Larder, who had run hard all afternoon, completed the scoring as he powered over from close range for a well deserved try.